“No. But—but—I’ve heard—What is it? What has happened? Where has Madre been all this time? Has she been in Naples?”
“Signorina, I don’t think so.”
“Where has she been?”
“I believe the Signora has been to Mergellina.”
Vere began to tremble.
“What can have happened there? What can have happened?”
She trembled in every limb. Her face had become white.
“Signorina, Signorina! Are you ill?”
“No—I don’t know what to do—what I ought to do. I’m afraid to speak to the servants—they are making the siesta. Gaspare, come with me, and tell me what we ought to do. But—never say to any one—never say—if you hear!”
“Signorina!”